CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians did not attempt to re-heat, re-package or microwave a club that finished 68-94 last year. They made numerous personnel moves, beginning with the signing of manager Terry Francona in early October. Francona, while acknowledging the challenges that his team faces, oozed optimism in the off-season. Francona thinks that, at the very least, the Indians...
Carlos Santana has always been a patient hitter at the plate, but the Indians need a little more aggression in 2013.
Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians did not attempt to re-heat, re-package or microwave a club that finished 68-94 last year. They made numerous personnel moves, beginning with the signing of manager Terry Francona in early October.
Francona, while acknowledging the challenges that his team faces, oozed optimism in the off-season. Francona thinks that, at the very least, the Indians can make some noise in a division that figures to be owned by the Detroit Tigers.
What effect the additions of Francona and others will have on the win-loss record is difficult to gauge, though, because the 2013 Indians have question marks and wildcards all over the roster.
In order for the Indians to show significant improvement, here is a to-do list for Francona and notable players:
Terry Francona, manager
• Don't worry about earning players' respect; two World Series rings already have accomplished that.
• Don't fret over how good the Tigers will be.
• Transpose optimism, energy and work ethic to coaches and players.
• Fight for players when umpires make questionable calls.
• Make sure the twenty-somethings are better players at end of season than beginning.
• Don't be distracted by any lingering controversy from book about Red Sox years.
Carlos Santana, catcher
• Don't allow inevitable rough patches at plate to affect defense and game calling.
• When calling a game, do a better job of varying pitch sequences.
• Improve framing and blocking of pitches.
• When hitting, make sure toe-tap doesn't go back to being a leg lift.
• Don't take too many good pitches in an effort to work counts/draw walks.
• Don't be afraid to go to Francona and ask for DH/1B time if/when legs get heavy.
Mark Reynolds, first baseman
• Continue to hit for power.
• Try to reduce strikeouts without sacrificing much power.
• Don't let an already long swing get even longer.
• Don't try to be Casey Kotchman defensively, but be solid.
Jason Kipnis, second baseman
Jason Kipnis could be looking at a breakout season if he can overcome the second-half slump of 2012.
Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
• Continue to play hard.
• Hit significantly better in second half.
• Keep the hands back on off-speed stuff, especially when behind in count.
• Guard against the front shoulder opening too early against lefties.
• Continue to fill up reporters' notebooks and recorders with insightful, honest analysis.
Lonnie Chisenhall, third baseman
• Don't feel pressure trying to lock down third-base job in spring training.
• Stay healthy.
• Hit better against lefties.
• Adjust to bulked-up physique.
• Don't get pull-happy; improve coverage of outer half of plate.
• Significantly improve defense, especially on balls to left.
Asdrubal Cabrera, shortstop
• Come to camp in premium physical condition.
• Play better in all facets in second half.
• Hustle as much as possible.
• Don't grind over having been trade bait in off-season.
• Give Francona a chance to establish a rapport.
• Play significantly better defense, especially on grounders to left.
• Improve footwork.
Michael Brantley, left fielder
Michael Brantley may be playing left field this season instead of center, but he needs to keep bringing his solid defense, regardless.
Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
• Ease into camp after sports-hernia surgery in off-season.
• Don't sulk over being bumped from center field in favor of Drew Stubbs.
• Increase home-run total without swing getting long.
• Increase stolen bases and efficiency.
Drew Stubbs, center fielder
• Significantly improve offensively.
• Cut down on strikeouts, thereby giving speed more opportunities.
• Get comfortable with toe-tap, which replaced leg raise during off-season swing adjustments.
• Continue to play Gold Glove-caliber defense.
• Don't feel pressure to justify Shin-Soo Choo trade.
Nick Swisher, right fielder
• File and forget brutal 2012 ALCS.
• Don't try to do too much to justify big contract.
• If Cleveland fans boo during a team or individual slump, think twice about cracking them publicly.
• Don't listen when critics say the Indians overpaid, lest it affect performance.
• Bring high energy, enthusiasm and intensity into clubhouse without trying too hard.
• Proceed with caution when needling Trevor Bauer.
Mike Aviles, utility man
• Dial down expectations after having started at shortstop in Boston last year.
• Mentally prepare for sporadic playing time.
• Be prepared to play all over the field.
• Improve on-base percentage.
• Talk fitness with Cabrera.
Ubaldo Jimenez, starting pitcher
Can Ubaldo Jimenez shake off a season and a half of uneven performances and finally give the Indians the No. 1-quality starter that they thought they obtained in 2011?
Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
• Significantly improve in all areas.
• Reduce moving parts in delivery, mostly to guard against front side flying open.
• Reduce number of pitches to 3-4.
• Rediscover split-finger fastball or split-change.
• Be willing to throw fastball inside to right-handed batters.
• Get nastier on mound.
Justin Masterson, starting pitcher
• Significantly improve in all areas.
• Simplify mechanics.
• Reconsider frequency of slide-step with men on base.
• Don't rely so heavily on two-seamer.
• Increase study time between starts.
• Feel good about reuniting with Francona.
• Don't talk about "people helping people" after getting knocked around in a loss.
Brett Myers, starting pitcher
• Be patient during re-transition from to reliever to starter.
• Don't over-throw early in camp.
• Improve command of secondary pitches.
• Continue to be nasty on the mound.
Zach McAllister, starting pitcher
• Build on progress of previous two seasons.
• Don't get flustered when defense makes mistakes.
• Improve secondary stuff, especially change-up.
Carlos Carrasco, starting pitcher
Carlos Carrasco returns from Tommy John surgery this spring, and should compete for a spot in the starting rotation.
Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
• Feel good about progress made in off-season after Tommy John surgery in 2011.
• Don't over-throw early in camp.
• Don't worry about six-game suspension needing to be served upon activation.
Trevor Bauer, starting pitcher
• Don't feel pressure to prove skeptics wrong.
• Don't feel pressure to justify Shin-Soo Choo trade.
• Don't feel pressure to justify draft status.
• Play along with teammates' takes on "unconventional" training methods.
• Reduce number of pitches to 4-5.
• Don't project arrogance or aloofness.
Chris Perez, closer
• Don't over-throw at outset of camp, thereby protecting oblique.
• Monitor workload while dovetailing spring training with World Baseball Classic.
• Continue to fill up reporters' notebooks and recorders with entertaining quotes.
• Enjoy playing for Francona.
Vinnie Pestano, reliever
• File and forget September struggle.
• Monitor workload while dovetailing spring training with World Baseball Classic.
• Continue to fill up reporters' notebooks and recorders with insightful analysis.
Joe Smith, reliever
• Continue to build off quality seasons of 2011 and 2012.
• Re-institute guidelines for acceptance into "Bullpen Mafia."